Utah Jazz Solidify Lineup by Signing Ersan Ilyasova

The Utah Jazz will sign free agent veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova for the remainder of the 2020-21 NBA season on a veteran’s minimum deal. According to a report from ESPN’s Jordan Schultz, the 33-year old Ilyasova will officially sign with the Jazz on Wednesday upon completing the health protocols.

Ilyasova will earn $17,567.00 per day for the rest of the regular season with a cap hit of $11,100.00 per day. Assuming that he does sign his deal on Wednesday, Ilyasova will make $1,194,542.00 for playing in the second half of the 2020-21 NBA season.

Adding Frontcourt Depth

Ilyasova will add frontcourt depth to a Jazz team that has Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, and Georges Niang splitting the bulk of minutes at the center and power forward position. While Ilyasova is not the most versatile defender, he is one of the best in the business in taking charges on the defensive end.

Last season, Ilyasova played 15.7 minutes per game in 63 regular season games for the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game with a .466/.365/.828 shooting line. The 12-year veteran was waived by the Bucks last November before the season started and he hasn’t played a game this season.

His 36.5% season average from three-point distance last season matched his career average and with that outside shot, he has been able to stretch the floor from the power forward position. Utah’s remarkable run to the best record in the first half of the season has been highlighted by its knack to shoot a lot of three-pointers and Ilyasova fits well with that game plan.

Jazz Odds

The Jazz join the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers as the three teams that have increased their championship odds drastically since the start of the season. Utah stated at the 4000-5000 range depending on which of the best NBA betting sites you use. As of the current odds at BetOnline, the Jazz are now have the fourth-best odds to win the 2021 NBA title at +700.

Utah currently has a 27-9 record and they are on top of the NBA mountain. They are currently 2.5 games ahead of the no. 2 Phoenix Suns, 3 games better than the no. 3 Philadelphia 76ers and 3.5 games up on the 4th ranked Brooklyn Nets. According to Tankathon.com, the Jazz have the weakest strength of the remaining schedule in the entire league with their remaining 36 opponents having an average winning percentage of .475.

However, the Jazz’s second-half schedule includes a pair of games against the Lakers, two games against the Suns, and one game each against the Nets and Portland Trail Blazers. With their rivals breathing heavily behind their neck, the Jazz need to keep their foot on the gas pedal in order to secure the top seed in the playoffs. Adding a veteran contributor like Ilyasova helps that.

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